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‘‘A tall manly-looking soldier came down 
the rugged track, with his face and hands torn 
and bleeding.’^ 


Our Soldier Boy 


G. MANVILLE FENN 


Author of “The Little Skipper” 


WITH TWENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIONS 


A '•t 

PHILADELPHIA 

HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY 

L 


22080 



library of Congreesl 

1 Two Copies Received 

JUL 19 1900 

Copyright entry 

' SECOND COPY. 

Delivered to 

QPDER OWISION, 
SEP 1 1900 


Copyright, 1900, by 
Henry Altemus Company. 



■i. 


73975 



CIIAPTEE I. 


U Jones, let that pot-lid alone.” 

-L It was a big brown-faced woman who said that crossly, 
and a big rough-looking bugler, in the uniform of the 200th Fusiliers, 
with belts, buttons and facings looking very clean and bright, but 
the scarlet cloth ragged and stained from the rain and mud, and 
sleeping in it anywhere, often without shelter, who dropped the lid 
as if it were hot and shut in the steam once more, as the iron pot 
bubbled away where it hung from three sticks, over a w^ood fire. 

It was in a lovely part of Portugal, and the regiment was halting 
among the mountains after a long weary tramp; fires had been lit 
for cooking, and the men were lying and sitting about, sleeping, 
cleaning their firelocks, pipeclaying their belts, and trying to make 
themselves look as smart as they could considering that they were 
all more or less ragged and torn after a fortnight’s tramp in all 
weathers in pursuit of a portion of the French army which had been 
always a few hours ahead. 

But it was easy enough to follow their steps, for everywhere 
they had plundered, and destroyed; villages and pleasant homes 
were burned; and blackened ruins, cut-up gardens and vineyards met 
the soldiers’ eyes wherever the enemy had been. 

There had been a straggling little village by the side of the 
mountain stream, where the 200th had halted at midday after their 
long march under a burning sun, at a spot where there was plenty 


6 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


of fresh water, and it was the x)ot over one of these cooking fires 
whose lid Tom Jones had lifted off. 

On'y wanted to smell what was for dinner/’ he said. AYhat 
have you got, Mother Beane? ” 

“ Xever you mind. Bare ohs for meddlers, and pump-handle 
sauce, perhaps; and look here, you sir, you come v/hen Ave halt 
to-night and I’ll mend some of them rags. You’re a disgrace.” 

‘^Ain’t worse than the rest of the fellows,” said Tom, grinning. 

The Colonel’s horse went doAvn ’s morn’.” 

Oh, dear, dear I ” cried the AA’oman excitedly; ^Ms he hurt? ” 

Broke both his knees, and bled ever so.” 

The Colonel? ” 

XoAv-Av-Av! his horse. Colonel only Avent sliding down ’mong 
the stones, and ripped his jacket sleeve right up.” 

“ Oh, that’s a blessing,” said the Avoman. You go to him when 
we camp, and say Mrs. Corp’ral Beane’s dooty and she’s got a 
needle and silk ready, and may she mend his jacket.” 

“All right, hut you might tell us Avhat’s for dinner.” 

“ AVait and see. And why don’t you go and forage about and 
see if you can’t find a bit o’ fruit or some vegetables? ” 

“ ’Tarn’t no good. Old Frog-soups clears eA^ery thing.” 

“Yes,” said the AVoman, Avith a sigh, as she re-arranged her 
battered old straAv bonnet cocked up as if it Avere a hat, and took 
off the old scarlet uniform tail coat she Avore OA^er her very clean 
cotton goAvn, before going to the pot, Avooden spoon in hand, to 
raise the lid and give the contents a stir round. 

“ Oh, I say, Ifother Beane, it does smell good! MTiat’s in it? ” 

“ Shoulder o’ goat,” said the Avoman. 

“Yah! don’t care much for goat,” said the boy. “Arn’t half so 
good as mutton.” 

“ You must take Avhat you can get, Tom. Tavo chickens.” 

“IVliy, that they ain’t. I see ’em: they Avas an old cock and 
hen as Ave chivied into that burnt house this mornin’, and Corp’ral 
shot one, and Mick Toole run his bag’net through the other. Eeg’lar 
stringies.” 


OUK SOLDIER BOY. 


7 



i^ever mind. Tm cooking ’em to make ’em taste like chicken, 
and it’s time they were all hack to mess. AVhich way did my old 
man go? ” 

Climbed np yonder. Said he knowed there’d be a house up 
somewheres there.” 

And why didn’t you go with him, sir?” said Mrs. Corporal 
Beane. Might have found a melon or some oranges.” 

“ Xot me,” grumbled the boy. “ Frenchies don’t leave nothing: 
hungry beggars. Murd’rin’ wermin. M^ish w^e could ketch ’em.” 

Ah, so do I, and it makes my heart bleed to see what we do.” 

Ah, but you wait a bit. "VYe shall ketch ’em one o’ these days.” 

“ You won’t. You’re too lazy.” 

That I ain’t. I’d ha’ gone foraging ’s morning 
and there’s an old boot nail made a hole in one foot, 
and t’other ’s all blisters.” 

Oh, my poor boy ! and I haven’t 
finished that pair of stockings I was 
knitting for you. Look here, you go and 
sit down till the men come back, and 
bathe your feet in the stream.” 

Did,” said the boy, with 
a chuckle. 

^^Ah! where abouts? Yot 
above where we get our drinking- 
water? ” 

Course I didn’t,’ said the 
boy scornfully. I ain’t a 
Frenchy.” 

'LVhoy-y-y— y! ’’ 

The hail came from high up 
in a woody ravine far above their 
heads, and the boy shaded his 
eyes and said excitedly — Here, 
look. It’s Joe Beane, and he’s 
found something good. Got 
it on his shoulder.” 


8 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


What is it? ’’ cried Mrs. Beane. kid? ’’ 

Xo, it’s a bag o’ something. It’s — no. he’s hid among the 
trees again. It was a bag, though — looked whitish.” 

^Mt flour,” cried Mrs. Beane triumphantly. “Oh, Tom! we’ll 
have cakes to-night, and you shall carry some to the officers’ mess.” 

“ Give us one if I do. Mother Beane? ” 

“Ah, pig! I never saw such a boy to eat.” 

“AYell, how can I help it? I get so holler,” grumbled the boy. 
“ It’s ’cause I’m growing.” 

Five minutes later a tall manly-looking soldier came down the 
rugged track, with his face and hands torn and bleeding, and dropped 
upon his knees before his astonished wife and a group of half a dozen 
men who hurried up. 

“ Oh, Joe,” cried the woman, “what have you got there? ” 

“ Young shaver,” panted the man. “ Found big house yonder, 
half burnt. Five dead folk, and this here.” 

“ Oh, Joe! ” cried the woman, taking her husband’s burden from 
him, sinking upon lier knees, and laying the head of a handsome 
little fellow of about eight against her breast, to begin rocking her- 
self to and fro and sobbing bitterly. “ Oh, the wicked cruel wTetches ! 
To go and murder a poor little boy like this! Look at his face! 
Look at his hair, half burned off, and the rest all blood. Oh! if 
you were men you’d ketch and kill some of ’em for this.” 

A low growl arose from the soldiers around, and Tom Jones 
sniffed, drew his bugle round from where it hung at his back, and 
dropped two silent tears in its mouth. 

“ You Tom,” cried Mrs. Beane, “don’t stand sniffing and snivelling 
there like a great bull calf. Take the tin dipper and fetch it full 
of clean water. Oh, Joe, Joe! it’s too late. The poor little dar- 
ling’s dead.” 

“ AYarn’t when I fun’ him,” said the corporal. “ He’d crep’ 
away a bit, and he moved one hand.” 

“ Yes, and he’s warm still,” cried the woman excitedly. “ Here, 
you men, clear off. You go and serve out the mess, Joe. Never 
mind me.” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


you’ll want a bit o’ dinner, missus: and I found two ri; 
melons up in tbe garden there, but I left ’em 
behind.” 

Don’t talk to me about melons and din- 
ners,” cried the woman angrily. Go and get 
your own, all of you; and how much longer’s 
that boy going to be ? ” 

]^ot many minutes before he appeared, not 
with the fin dipper but a whole bucketful of clear 
cold water, forgetting all about his sore feet; 
and while the men went and sat round the iron 
pot of savoury hotch-potch, Tom Jones stayed 
behind to help bathe and bandage the head 
of the handsome little fellow upon whose sun- 
burned face more than one hot tear fell, as loving 
hands made him up a temporary bed of great coats in the shade. 

“Oh, Tom, Tom!” sobbed the big rough coarse woman, as 
she knelt there at last after doing all she could, “many’s the time 
that I’ve prayed that I might have a little boy to call my own; 
but Heaven knows best, and he might have lived to die like this.” 

“He ain’t a-going to die,” said Tom, sniffing again. 

“He is — he is; and no doctor near! ” 

“Ho,” said Tom, with another sniff; “he’s miles away, along o’ 
them poor wounded chaps w^e left behind.” 

“ I can do nothing, nothing more — and he’s somebody’s bairn ! ” 

“Yes,” said the boy hoarsely, “and the Frenchies killed ’em, 
for Joe Beane telled the men as the sight he see was horrid.” 

“ Hush ! Ah, look,” whispered the w^oman, and she bent over 
the poor little victim, who w'ailed faintly, “ Oh, don’t — don’t — Ah ! ” 

Then he lay silent and motionless, as his rough nurse softly 
laid her hand upon the fire-scorched forehead. 

“ Why, that there ain’t Portygeeze,” whispered Tom, staring. 

“Well, old gal, what about him now? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t know, Joe; I don’t know. He just spoke a little.” 

“ Poor little nipper. All right, my gal; you’ll bring him round.” 



10 


OUE SOLDIER BOY. 


Tom had ceased sniffing and had turned to give a long stare at 
the men grouped round the pot, to see that they had done eating 
and were lighting their pipes. 

Might ha’ arxed a pore chap to have had a bit, corporal,” he said. 

Ay, we might, lad; but then you see we was all so hungry 
we mightn’t, and you’re only a boy.” 

Yes, that’s it,” grumbled Tom, wrenching his bugle round and 
giving it a vicious polish with his sleeve. Alius the same; on’y a 
boy; just as if I could help that! ” 

^^And such a hungry sort o’ boy; holler all through. It’s a 
waste to give you good food. That there stoo was evvinly.” 

Joe turned away from Tom’s sour puckered face, to bend over 
the insensible little patient with a look full of pity, as he wiped his 
mouth with the back of his hand. 

“ I should just liked to have been there, missus, with my bag’net 
fixed when they cut that little fellow down. Here, I’ll sit and have a 
pipe and keep the fiies otf him, while you go and pick a bit. The 
boys wouldn’t touch a morsel till I’d put aside some for you and Tom. 

That night the 200th was still marching on where they were 
to camp in the mountains, while on a rough kind of litter formed 
of a long basket strapped upon the back of a mule, with a couple 
of great-coats and a blanket for bed, lay the poor child whose life 
Mrs. Beane was trying to save. 

It was a long and a weary forced march, for scouts had brought 
in news which made the officers hope to come in touch of the 
retreating army before morning, for the news had spread, and during 
the night the Colonel and officers found opportunities for coming 
and asking Mother Beane about her little patient. 

But there was always the same reply, and Colonel Lavis did 
not have his uniform mended, neither were any stitches added to 
Tom Jones’s new worsted stockings, for the corporal’s wife had all 
her work to do to try and save her patient’s life, and the shake of 
the head she gave at daybreak told more forcibly than words or the 
bitter tears she shed, that she had given up all hope. 



CHAPTEK II. 

T he 200th was in high glee to a man, which is including about 
twenty men who were wounded not so badly but that they 
could shout “Hurrah! ’’ Eor there was a brush with the retreating 
Erench, who w^ere driven from the strong camp they had formed, 
and the little patient had, to use Mrs. Beane’s words, “begun to 
pick up a bit.” 

During the next week of marching and counter-marching the 
wounded boy began to pick up a good many bits, for the doctor 
had rejoined the regiment, and he did something to the little fellow’s 
head where beneath the cruel cut he had received the bone was 
dinted in, and from that hour the change was wonderful. In another 
week he delighted Mrs. Corporal Beane by watching her constantly 
with wondering eyes, and suddenly asking her who she was. 

In her motherly delight she told him “ Mother Beane,” and he 
began calling her mother directly, while in another week Corporal 
Joe had taught the patient to call him Dad, and wondering began. 
“Haven’t jmu asked him?” said Joe. 

“ Yes, as much as I dared, old man, but I’m afraid to do much, 
because it seems to muddle his poor dear head, and he wrinkles up 
and tries to think, but he can’t.” 

“ But don’t he remember who cut liim down? ” said Joe. 

“ Yo.” 

“ Yor yet about the house bein’ set a-fire?” 

“ Ho.” 

“Well, did you ask him his name? ” 


12 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


Yes, and he only shook his head.’’ 

Did yon ask him who his father and mother was? ” 

“ Yes, hut he- didn’t know.” 

Well, it’s ama-a-azin’,” said Joe. 

But it was true. The hoy’s life had heen saved just when it 
had heen ehhing away, hut that w^as all. With the cruel blow 
w^hich struck him down all recollection of the past was cut away, 
and the hoy had, as it were, to begin life all over again, not as a 
little child, for he could talk and chat merrily; hut the dark cloud 
which came down so suddenly had shut everything else away. 

Well, it’s ama-a-azin’,” said Joe to his wife, and it seems to 
me as we found him and saved him alive and all as belonged to 
him was killed dead, why, he must belong to us. What do you say 
to keeping him? ” 

Oh, Joe, if we only could! ” cried his wife. 

^^Ah, if we on’y could,” said Joe thoughtfully. 

I know,” cried Wrs. Corporal ; I’ll ask the Colonel next time 
I take him his washing back.” 

You just don’t,” said Joe; because if you do he’ll say as you 
mustn’t.” 

Oh! ” sighed Wrs. Corporal; ^^hat’s just what I’m ’fraid of.” 

They were very silent as they sat by the camp-fire that night 
in an orange-grove, with the big stars peeping down at them, and 
Tom Jones, who took a great interest in what was said, sat and 
waited for ever so long, and then being tired out with the long 
day’s tramp, lay down to listen, and dropped off fast asleep, just as 
Joe Beane said thoughtfully: — 

Look here, missus, if I was on’y a private instead of being an 
officer I should say something, but as I am full corporal, why, I can’t.” 

Just think you are a private, Joe, and say it,” whispered 
his wife. 

Shall I? ” he said slowly. 

Yes, Joe, dear, do. He’s such a nice boy.” 

Ay, he is, missus.” 

And I love him a’ready.” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


13 


“ "W ell, I won’t go so far as love him, ’cause I don’t like hoys, 
but I like him because he’s such a good, happy-looking little chap, 
and how anyone as calls himself a man could have ” 

Yes, yes, you’ve said that before, Joe,” whispered his wife 
pettishly. “ Tell me what you’d say if you warn’t a corporal.” 

^‘"Why, I’d say nothing,” said Joe. 

“ Oh, how can you be so stupid as to go on like that ! I 
thought you’d got something sensible in your head.” 

So I have,” said Joe gruffly, on’y you’re in such a hurry. I 
should say nothing to nobody, and go on just as if he warn’t here.” 

Oh, Joe, dear, would you?” 

Yes, that’s what I should say. YY could manage right enough, 
and if at last the Colonel should come with : ^ Hallo there ! what 
boy’s that?’ — why, we could tell him then, and if he said: ^ Send 
him away ’ ” 

^^Yes, and what then, Joe?” cried Mrs. Corporal excitedly. 

AVhy then,” said Joe, we should have to obey orders.” 

^^Ah, and he mightn’t say that, Joe, as he’s such a nice little 
fellow.” 

“ Course, he mightn’t,” replied Joe. 

Hah ! ” ejaculated Mrs. Corporal Beane, and she said no more. 
But at the next halting-place she began to think: and the result of 
her thinking was that she got hold of an old uniform suit and by 
working very hard every time the regiment halted she contrived to 
cut the suit down till it roughly fitted the little invalid, braiding it 
like the drum and bugle boys’, and making a little military cap as 
well, so that by the time ho was able to trot along in the rear of 
the regiment he did not seem out of place. 

“Joe,” said Mrs. Corporal one morning, “look at him; don’t he 
look splendid? He’s a soldier boy now, and I shall call him Dick.” 

“All right,” said the Corporal; “Dick ain’t bad, but you might 
ha’ called him Joe the second.” 


CHAPTEK III. 


I T was quite six weeks after Dick had been found, and he was 
weak still, hut that only troubled him by making him feel tired, 
and at such times there was always a ride ready for him on the top 
of a pack carried by a mule. 

And there he was happy enough, for he w’as rapidly growing 
into being the pet of the regiment, and first one of the men brought 
him fruit, and some one thing and some another; but Mrs. Corporal 
was always pretty close at hand to take care that he was not spoiled 
or made ill, and Corporal Joe said over and over again to his wife, 
that it was ama-a-azinb” 

Mhat's amazing, Joe?” she said one day. Mhat do you 
keep saying that for? ” 

’Cause it is,” he said. 

Yes, but why, Joe? ” 

’Cause ever since I found that there boy you’ve been as proud 
as a peacock with two tails.” 

^^And enough to make me,” said Mrs. Corporal tartly. There 
never was such a boy before. Look at him! ” and she pointed to 
where the little fellow, in full iiniform, was perched on a mule- 
pack, and the baggage guard with fixed bayonets marched close 
beside. 

^^Yes,” said Joe drily, as he screwed up his face; ^M’ve been 
a-looking at him a deal. Ilis coatee fits horrid.” 

That it don’t,” said !Mrs. Corporal; and it was the best I could 
do out of such old stuff.” 

^^AVell, it w^er old,” said her husband; “but it’s all crinkles and 
creases, and that boy puzzles me.” 

“Mliy? Howr’ 

“ ’Cause you’d think after he’d seen his people killed and the 



The little fellow, in full uniform, was 
perched on a mule-pack, and the baggage guard 
with fixed bayonets marched close beside/’ 




16 


OUR S0LDI]<:R ROY. 


house burnt about his ears he’d ha’ been frightened like; but he 
don’t seem to mind nothing about it, not a bit.” 

^^Ah, it is strange,” said Mrs. Corporal; ^‘but there couldn’t be a 
braver nor a better little chap.” 

^^That there couldn’t,” said the Corporal proudly; ^^but 1 think 
I’ve found out what’s the matter with him. That crack on the head 
made him an idjit.” 

^^For shame, Joe! ” cried his wife. ^Mle’s as clever and bright 
a little fellow as ever stepped.” 

So he is, missus; but he puzzles me. It’s ama-a-azin’.” 

The boy puzzled Tom Jones the bugler boy too, wdio when- 
ever he got a chance came alongside of the mule and baggage w^agon 
in the rear, and let the little in^Mid carry his bugle on condition 
that he did not try to blow it, and Tom made this an excuse for 
solemnly asking the same questions over and over again. 

I say, who’s your father? ” 

Corporal Joe Beane,” said the boy promptly; I say, Tom, 
mayn’t I have a blow now? ” 

^^Mhat? FTo, of course not. You don’t want to send the men 
at the double up a hill like this.” 

Why not? I should like to run too, only I so soon get tired.” 

You shall have a blow some day. But I say, who’s your 
mother? ” 

Mrs. Corporal Joe Beane,” was the prompt reply, and the boy 
drummed the mule’s sides to make it go faster, but without effect. 

AVell, where did you live before Joe Beane found you? ” 
don’t know,” said the boy, shaking his head, and Tom Jones 
stared hard with his mouth open before asking his next question. 

I say, how’s your head? ” 

Quite well, thank you,” said the boy; how’s yours? ” 

Tom scratched his as if he did not know. 

“ Look here,” he cried, after a pause, as a happy thought 
crossed his mind, and without pausing to state how his own head 
was, he fired off another question : — I say, who did you live with 
before we found you? ” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


17 



I don’t know/’ said tlie bov, looking at him wonderingly, and 
as if he felt amused by his companion’s questions. You ask mother.” 
Here! Quick,” whispered Tom. Give me my bugle.” 

“ Shan’t. I want it,” replied the boy coolly. 

But you must. Here’s the Colonel and half the officers reined 
up at the side to see us go by.” 

He snatched the bugle away as he spoke and threw the cord 


over his shoulder, drawing himself up smartly, and keeping step 
with the guard. 

Mrs. Corporal Beane had caught sight of the group of officers 
they were approaching, and with her heart in her mouth as she 
called it, she hurried up to the side of the mule, catching up to it 
just as they came abreast of the Colonel, a quiet stern-looking 
officer whose hair was sprinkled with grey. 


18 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


Xotliing escaped liis sharp eves, and lie pressed liis horse’s side 
and rode close to the baggage innlc. 

What hoy’s that, my good woman? ” 

Mine, sir,” said ]Mrs. Beane huskily. 

“ Indeed? Is that the little fellow who was found in the burned 
village? ” 

sir,” faltered the woman, as she gazed in the Colonel’s 
stern frowning countenance. 

^Mlumph!” he ejaculated, and drew rein for the rear of the 
regiment to file past. 

‘Wild now my poor boy will be sent away, Joe,” said the 
agitated woman that night; but Joe said nothing, not even wdien 
he felt his wife get up and go to where the little fellow^ was 
sleeping soundly, and he heard her utter a curious sobbing sound 
before she came to lie down again. 

But no orders were given next day for the boy to be sent to 
the rear, nor yet during the next week, during which the men w^ere 
still hunting frogs, as they called it — frogs which took such big leaps 
that the toiling British soldiers could not come up to them. 

Oh, if they only would let us,” Joe used to say every night 
when he jiulled oif his boots to rest his feet. “ It’s my one wish, 
for we must give ’em a drubbing, or we shall never have the face 
to go back to old England again.” 

Joe had his wish sooner than he expected. 

It was in a wild mountainous part of the beautiful country, 
so full of forest and gorge that there was plenty of opportunity for 
the French to hide their force on the mountain slopes of a lovely 
valley and let the English regiment get well past them before they 
attacked. 

The result was a desperate fight which lasted a couple of hours 
before the 200th managed to extricate themselves with the loss of 
many killed and wounded, and in spite of every man fighting like 
a hero, they were beaten and' had to suffer the miseries of a retreat 
as well as a defeat. 

But the 200th did not fall back many miles before the major of 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


19 



the regiment halted the main body 
of the men on the slopes of a rocky 
monnt which he determined to 
hold and to give the scattered 
and wounded a chance 
to return, so a 
stand was made. 
For there was 


BO hiding 
the fact; the 
poor 200th 
had bee 
badly beat- 
en, as an 
E n glish 
regiment 
might rea- 
sonably be when 
every man was 
surprised and 
called upon to fight six, 
mostly hidden from him by rocks 
and trees. 


20 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


The enemy did not follow their advantage, so that the English 
had the whole of that night to rest and refresh, though there was 
not much of either, for upon the roll of the companies being called 
a hundred brave men did not answer; many were wounded; and, 
worst misfortune of all, the Colonel was among the missing, and had 
been seen last fighting like a hero as he tried wdth a small company 
of men to save the baggage and ammunition. 

“And our poor boy, eJoe,’’ sobbed Mrs. Corporal that night, as 
she sat by the watch-fire, “ trampled down and killed, just as I had 
begun to love him as much as if he had been my own.” 

“ Cheer up, old lass,” said Joe, wincing as he spoke, for a 
bullet had ploughed a nasty furrow in one arm; “we don’t know 
yet that he isn’t all right. Prisoner, perhaps. Let’s wait till 
morning, and see.” 

Mrs. Corporal sobbed, and of course waited, with the men under 
arms all night and expecting an attack. 

But the nigiit passed away without any alarm, and soon after 
sunrise in the beautiful chestnut wood, about fifty of the missing 
crawled back into camp, but there was no news of the Colonel, 
none of Dick, and poor Mrs. Corporal Beane had another terrible 
trouble on her mind as she nursed and held water to her husband’s 
feverish lips, for in the terrible fight at the surprise brave stout- 
hearted Joe Beane had been shot close to the Colonel’s side, and 
he remembered seeing that officer w^ave his sword, and hearing 
him cry, “Forward, my lads; this way,” but he could recollect no 


more. 


CHAPTEE lY. 



D' 


^ICK could remember every’ - 
thing that took place then, 
though all that had occurred be- 
r fore he was hurt still remained 
blank. He remembered the crash- 
ing volleys fired from both sides 
of the gorge, and the way in 
which the long line of the march- 
ing regiment faced both ways and 
fired again, before making a brave 
charge forward, led by their officers, 
to fight their way through the enemy 
in front, but only to be beaten back, withered as their formation 
was by the terrible fire on all sides. He remembered this, and 
how all of a sudden, as the mule he rode was carried along in the 
crowd, and he clung tightly to the bundle with which it w^as 
loaded, the poor beast suddenly stood still, uttered a strange squeal, 
and then reared up so that Dick w^as nearly jerked off. But the 
poor animal, which had been pierced through the lungs by a bullet, 
came down again on all-fours, and then dashed off at full gallop 
towards the clouds of smoke in front, bore off to the left as some 
dimly-seen men stabbed at it with their bayonets, and tore on over 
rock and bush, higher and higher up the side of the gorge, with 
Dick still clinging tightly to the ropes of the bundle, till all at once 
it uttered a shrill cry, reared up again, and then fell, throwing the 
boy down among the tangled growth, rolled over once, kicked out 
its legs for a few moments, and then lay perfectly still. 

Dick lay as still for a few minutes, feeling too much startled 


22 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


to move. Then he managed to crawl out of the rocky rift into 
which he had been thrown, and stood up, all ragged, with his red 
coatee split up the back, and one sleeve torn out at the shoulder. 

For a few minutes he stood listening to the shouting and firing 
far below and watched the smoke curling up; his face was all 
puckered up, and he rubbed himself where he was pricked and 
scratched. Then he examined his damaged clothes, and lastly he 
climbed up to where the mule lay, on its side with its heels higher 
up the slope than its stretched-out neck and head. 

Poor old fellow! ’’ he said. Did the shooting frighten you? 
Come on, get up.” 

But the mule did not stir, and the boy knelt down by it to 
raise its head a little, but only to let it sink back, and shrink away, 
in horror — the poor animal, who had always been ready to eat grass 
or pieces of unripe melon from his hand, lay dead, pierced by the 
bullet, and bayonetted in three places by the French. 

And now the tears which the little fellow had manfully kept 
back began to flow fast, and he knelt down by the poor beast’s 
side, feeling stunned. 

And as lie knelt there the firing went on, but in a scattered 
way, as the 200th fell back witli the enemy in full pursuit, the boy 
turning at last to watch the progress of the fight far below and 
seeing the scarlet coats of his friends growing more and more distant 
in the smoke, and tlie blue uniforms of the French as they crowded 
after them, till the reports of the muskets grew faint: and the echoes 
from high up on either side of the gorge more soft till they died away. 

Dick’s first idea was to hurry ofi, but there was only one way, 
and that was down the wooded ravine; but he could not go that 
way, for the place between him and his friends was swarming with 
the French soldiers, and he shuddered at the thought of trying to 
get through them. He had of late seen and heard so much of their 
cruel acts. 

What should he do? 

lie had hardly asked himself this question when he heard a 
/hout, and his heart leaped — it was his friends coming back. 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


23 


Xo; lie could see below him the uniforms of the French soldiers, 
and their bayonets flashing in the golden light of the sinking sun, 
and in fear he shrank back among the thick bushes and hid below 
the place where he had 
been thrown, to lie listening 
as the voices came nearer, 
a peep or two that he 
stole showing that the 
enemy were spread out 
low down by the rugged 
track, evidently very busy, 
and it seemed to the boy 
that they were hunting for 
him to kill him. 

He grew more and 
more sure of this as the 
voices came nearer, but at 
last he realised the truth 
— that the men were searching amongst the bushes for the wounded 
and dead. 

This went on for an hour, and Dick’s courage rose as he saw 
them carrying man after man down to the track, men in red and 
men in blue, and bearing them away, with the voices growing fewer 
and fewer. 

^h\nd it will soon be dark,” the boy said to himself, and then 
I can go back and find mother and father.” 

Just then he heard shouts again, and he shrank back beneath 
the bushes, to listen, not understanding a word; but the voices 
came nearer and nearer and Dick’s heart sank, for there was a shout 
and two men ran up to within a dozen yards of where the boy lay. 

They can see me, and are going to shoot,” he thought, and 
he shut his eyes and shivered, and thought of the corporal and 
his wife. 

But no shot Avas fired; no bright keen bayonet plunged through 
the bushes; and taking courage the boy raised his head and peered 



24 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


upward towards wlicre two French soldiers were busy doing some- 
thing, and another came and joined them, to stand talking and 
laughing. 

Then the bov grasped the fact that they had seen the mule, 
and were cutting the ropes and opening the pack to see if there 
was anything worth taking. 

At last the notes of a bugle came echoing up the ravine from 
side to side. 

The soldiers immediately rose from where they were busy, 
shouldered their muskets, and began to descend the slope, while 
Dick lay listening to the cracking and brushing sounds as they 
forced their way through the bushes. There was another bugle call, 
and some time after another, sounding quite faint, and as the boy 
crept out of his hiding-place at last, to find the contents of the 
millers pack, the belongings of the corporal’s mess for the most 
part scattered about the ground, he looked keenly in search of 
danger! 

And how still it was! not a sound — even the cry of a bird; 
only a faint silvery rippling tinkle somewhere near; a sound which 
set the boy creeping, to find it low down between some rocks 
slippery with green moss which grew all about a tiny pool, into 
which after lying flat upon his chest he plunged his lips, and drank 
again and again to quench his thirst. 



CHAPTER Y. 


T hat long, deep draught of sweet, cool water seemed to send 
fresh life through Hick, and he rose up, thinking that it would 
he easy now to get down to the track and find his w^ay hack to his 
friends, hut he shook his head. 

Ho, he said, the Frenchmen would he about, and he might 
lose his way in the dark. Better wait a hit. 

But it was so horribly lonely, and the stillness made him shiver 
as if he were cold, and obeying a natural instinct to he near some- 
thing, he climbed hack to where the dead mule lay, dragged a 
blanket from where the French soldiers had tossed it, and threw it 
over him. Then he crept close to the mule’s side, to sit watching 
the light die out on the tops of the mountains and the stars begin 
to come out. His head began to sink sidewise, nodded once or 
twice, and in spite of the darkness and the horror of his situation 
he fell fast asleep, to begin dreaming of Mother Beane, of the camp- 
fire and the cooking, and Tom Jones the bugle boy making a hor- 
rible noise on his copper horn, as he 'would sometimes in play: and 
then he started into wakefulness, to crouch there listening, for the 
hoarse sound sounded again from somewhere below. 

The boy shuddered, for he knew it was not the note of the 
bugle, but a horrible long-drawn cry, faint and strange, and the cold 


26 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


drops began to gather on liis forehead, for it sounded like the howl- 
ing of a wolf, such a cry as he had heard Mother Beane talk about 
when telling him and Tom Jones about her adventures over the 
camp-fire. He listened and shuddered as the cry came again out 
of the darkness: and then the frightened feeling passed away. 

HisnT a w^olf,*’ he said, and he started to his feet. AVhere 
are you? ” he shouted, wishing that he had not spoken in his excite- 
ment, for he felt that it might be a French soldier. Then he began 
to feel his way slowly through the bushes, for it was no enem^^ 
who replied, but someone English calling out from the thick dark- 
ness of the night that terribly stirring word, — Help. 

Hick had only one thought then, a thought which overmastered 
fear. Someone was in trouble and wanted help. It must be a 
Avounded soldier, some one of liis many friends who had chatted to 
him as he rode, for everyone in the regiment had a kind word to say. 

^Hloi! Where are you?” he shouted, and the voice answered 
from very near: but the bushes were thick, the rocks many, and 
the darkness deep, so that it was some time before Hick could reach 
the spot and pass his hands over someone lying there. 

Water.” 

That was the only answer to his question, “Who is it? ” 

Hick remembered the terrible thirst brought on by his own 
excitement, and the delicious draught of water from the little pool, 
as he eagerly turned away, wondering whether he could find the 
water again in the dark. 

“ Of course I can,” he said to himself the next minute, for he 
had only to listen to the musical trickling sound, and find the w’ay 
by his ears. But the next trouble was not so easy to get over. 
What was he to fetch the water in? 

He laughed softly to himself. The mule had been loaded with 
things belonging to the corporaTs mess, and he felt certain that he 
could find a tin. 

But he had first of all to find out where the dead mule lay, 
no easy task in a strange place, and in the dark: but he tried and 
tried again, twice over finding himself near the pool, and it was not 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


27 



until lie liad passed near it over and over again that lie kicked 
against something thrown away by the French soldiers, and the rest 
was easy. The next minute he was upon his knees searching about 
amongst the tumbled-together things, till to his great joy he touched 
the very article he wanted, and 
armed with this he sought for and 
found the little pool, filled the tin, 
and started upon the difficult task 
of carrying the water down a slope 
amongst rocks and trees and roots 
and creepers which seemed to 
be trying to trip him up. 

At last after trying for long ^ 
enough he stopped short in 
despair, feeling completely lost. 

Half the water had been spilt, 
and he had called again — 

^AVhere are you?’’ but there 
was no reply. And now a terrible 
feeling of dread came over him again, 
as the thought took possession of 
his mind that the wounded man 
was dead. So strong was this that 
it took away all the courage which 
had helped him so far, and in the poor fellow’s misery and despair 
he felt that the only thing to do now was to sit down and let the 
tears run while he waited till it was morning. 

But that was not to be, for just when his courage was at its 
lowest ebb he started and nearly dropped the tin, for from out of 
the darkness close by there was a piteous moan, and as he sought 
cautiously for the place from whence it came, he was helped by a 
low muttering as of someone saying a prayer very slowly. And 
it was, for he heard the words, Thy will be done,” and sank upon 
his knees by the sulferer’s head without spilling another drop. 

Dick did not speak, but waited for the prayer to be finished: 


28 


OUR SOLDIER ROY. 


but there was no farther sound, and he whispered gently: IVe 
brought the water.’’ 

Still there was no sound, and the boy began to thinh; that lie 
had come too late. 

He spoke again and again, but there was no reply, and after 
feeling about a little he dipped his fingers in the tin and let a few 
drops fall upon the poor fellow’s dry lips. Then more and more, 
as he found they moved. Then he scooped up as much as his little 
hand would hold, guided it carefully and held it there so that a few 
drops trickled between the man’s lips and the others ran over his 
face and neck, with a strangely reviving effect. For there was a 
low sigh or two, and he could hear tlie sound repeated of his patient 
trying to swallow, after which his mouth opened widely, so that he 
was able to pour in more water, which now was swallowed with avidity. 

All this had such a reviving effect that suddenly to Dick’s 
great delight there Avas a hoarse whisper — 

More — more. "Water — Avater.” 

This Avas responded to at once, and after a feAV more tiny 
portions had been poured betAveen the sufferer’s lips a hoarse 
voice said: — 

Heaven bless you, it has saved my life.” 

Can you sit up a little and drink? ” said Dick eagerly. 

I don’t knoAV— I’ll try.” 

There Avas a faint rustling, a piteous groan of pain, and then: — 

Hoav quick. I can do no more. AVater.” 

By touch Dick found that his companion had raised himself on 
one elboAV, and he guided the tin to his lips Avith one hand, passing 
the other round the poor felloAv’s head to try and support him, as 
he drank eagerly till the last drops Avere drained from the tin. 

Like life — like life,” Avas sighed, and Dick felt his patient sink 
doAvn again AA’ith a sigh of content. 

Shall I fetch some more? ” said the boy. 

Hot yet. Tell me. Who are you ? Is it a Avoman?” 

Dick laughed in his great joy at hearing the Avords. 

^^Ho,” he said; ^At’s only me.” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


29 


^^Yoii? Who are you? 

Dick. Mrs. Corporal Beane’s Dick.” 

Oh, my boy, my boy, you have saved my life,” moaned the 
sufferer, catching the little fellow’s hand and pressing it to his 
fevered lips. 

But who are you? ” said the hoy. “ I don’t know your voice.” 

Don’t you, my brave little fellow? Yes, you do — the Colonel, 
Colonel Lavis.” 

Oh,” said Dick wonderingly, ^^and did somebody shoot you?” 

Yes. I was hit twice. 1 crawled away among the bushes and 
rocks after I fell, and then all was dark, and I was trying to creep 
to where I could hear w^ater. But tell me, my brave lad. They 
drove the Frenchmen off? ” 

Yo,” said Dick sadly, and as he told all he knew the Colonel 
groaned again and again and to Dick’s horror he heard him mutter 
to himself: — 

Better that I had died — better that I had died than suFer 
this. The defeat — the shame.” 

Then all w^as still in the darkness, the fear began to creep into 
Dick’s breast again, and he gently stretched out his hand to touch 
the Colonel’s, when to his great joy his hand was seized: then 
another hand touched it, and he felt it kissed and then held fast, 
drawing him forward so that he half lay across the wounded man’s, 
breast, and could feel the beating of his heart, lying thinking there 
till he heard a low sigh or two, followed by a steady regular breathing- 
as if he slept. 

And at last, utterly wearied out, sleep came to the boy as well,, 
and he lay dreaming there, keeping what might have been the chill 
of death from a brave man’s breast, till the sun rose again and was. 
beating down warmly upon, the back of Dick’s head, when he opened 
his eyes to stare wonderingly at the stained and blackened face so- 
close to his. 

Dick did not dare to stir for fear of awakening the Colonel 
again: but he was not asleep, for after a time he opened his eyes 
and smiled pleasantly. 


30 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


The fortime of war, little comrade/’ he said. 

Yes, sir,” said Dick, and he stared at him, wondering that the 
stern, fierce officer who ordered the men about so could look so 
pleasant. 

That’s right,” said the Colonel: we have been successful man\ 
times. But let’s see, Dick, you were brought into camp wounded.” 

^^Yes,” said Dick. My head was very bad.” 

Of course. I remember all about it. IIow w’as it you were 
injured? ” 

Dick shook the head that had been hurt. 

You don’t know? But you speak well. "Who are your father 
and mother? ” 

Corporal Beane and Mrs. Corporal.” 

The Colonel looked at the boy curiously. 

^^Yes,” he said at last: “so I remember hearing. YYll, Dick, 
you were wounded, and we helped you: now it is my turn and you 
have helped me.” 

“ Yes,” said Dick. 

“I am thirsty, my boy: will you fetch me some water?” 

“ Yes,” said Dick, seizing the tin. 

“ But look carefully round : the enemy may be holding the 
ground.” 

“ 'Would they kill us if they saw us, sir? ” 

“I hope not, boy: but if I can bear my wounds I’ll keep in 
hiding, for my brave lads must make an effort to find us soon.” 

“ I’ll mind,” said Dick, and he took a long look round, and then 
crept on hands and knees to the spring, looked at it longingly, but 
forebore to drink, and filling tlie tin he bore it to the Colonel, who 
lay just as he had left him. 

“ Can you lift my head, boy? ” he said. “ Set down the tin.” 

Xot an easy thing to do without spilling the water, but Dick 
succeeded, and then managed Avith the Colonel’s help to raise him 
a little so that he could reach the Avater, of AAdiich he drank Avith 
avidity and Avas once more loAvered back, to lie faint and giddy for 
a feAv minutes, but he recovered soon and said he Avas better, 
speaking so freely and kindly to the boy that Dick took courage. 





Dick carefully washed away the stains. 






32 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


I say/’ lie said: you’ve got such a dirty face.” 

Have I, Dick? ” said the Colonel, smiling. 

Yes, it’s all over gunpowder, and all bloody. Shall I wash it? ” 

Please, Dick, my boy,” said the Colonel, and Dick took the 
tin to the spring as carefully as before, after looking up and down 
the great ravine, filled it, and this time had a good draught himself, 
and felt hungry as he took the refilled tin back, set it down by the 
Colonel’s head, and then began to purse up his lips and think what 
he should do. 

lie was not long making up his mind, and tearing the lining 
out of his damaged sleeve to soak in the v’ater and use for a sponge. 

But I haven’t a towel,” he said. 

There’s a clean handkerchief in the breast pocket of my coat,” 
said the Colonel, smiling. Take it out.” 

“ That hurt you ? ” said Dick, after unbuttoning the uniform and 
taking out the carefully folded handkerchief just as Mrs. Corporal 
Beane had brought it to him from the wash. 

Yes, but not very much,” said the Colonel. “ Go on, it will 
be cool and refreshing.” 

He was in great pain, but he lay smiling with a very kindly, 
fatherly look at the clever little fellow, as Dick carefully washed 
away the stains, having to go over the officer’s face twice before it 
was quite clean, after which he dried it, and knelt there looking at 
the bright sword which was hanging by its golden knot to the 
Colonel’s right arm. 

“ Shall I take that off before I wash your hands? ” 

The Colonel nodded and smiled in the same fatherly way as 
the boy unloosed the sword-knot, laid the weapon close by and 
then washed and dried the wounded man’s hands. 

“ I say,” said Dick then, I can tear this handkerchief when 
it’s dry. Shall I tie up your cuts? ” 

^^Yo,” said the Colonel sadly: “they must wait till the Doctor 
comes, Dick, if he ever does. They are not cuts, my boy, but 
bullet-holes, and they have ceased to bleed. Yow what is to be 
done next?” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


33 


Get up, and let’s find the men.” 

Xo, hoy,” said the Colonel sadly. “I. could not move. We 
must wait. Bnt yon are hungry. AA^ere there any rations on the 
mule? ” 

^^Xo,” said Dick, shaking his head: ^Ghey were on the other 
mule. AA^e must wait: but I am so hungry. Aren’t you? ” 

Xo,” said the Colonel sadly, and his eyes wandered round, 
but he looked in vain. They were in a wild ravine, and not so 
much as a berry was in sight. 

AA^e must wait, Dick,” he said at last. Surely they will com.e 
in search of us soon.” 



CHAPTER YI. 



IHR sun shone down hotter and hotter^ and all was still but the 


twittering of a bird at times. Dick took the blanket he had 
wrapped about him overnight and spread it over two pieces of 
rock so as to form a screen, propping it a little with a broken 
bough or two. So long as he was busy doing little things for the 
Colonel, Dick did not seem to mind so much, but just when the 
sun was highest and it was hotter than ever in the valley, the poor 
Colonel grew more feverish. He asked for water often, and then 
all at once the boy felt frightened, for the wounded man began to 
talk and mutter wildly: then he began to shout to his men to 
come on and charge, and at last poor Dick broke down. Hunger, 
misery, loneliness and the heat, were too much for him: the wdld 
nature of the Colonel’s words, and his fierce look when he felt for 
and waved his sword, making the little fellow shrink away and go 
and sit behind a stone, his head aching, and the terrible solitude 
there amongst the mountains seeming more than he could bear. 

But as the evening came on and a soft breeze sprang up, a 
change came over the wounded man, and Dick heard himself called. 

He crept back to the ColoneTs side, and the w’oundcd man 
took his hand, and he said, C’an you be brave and strong? ” 

Xo, sir,” faltered the boy, with his lip quivering, but I’ll try 


to be.” 


That is being brave, my boy. Xow look here, I have been 
asleep, and dreaming wild things, but I am cool and calm now. 
Listen to me. You are faint and hungry, and you must not stay 
here any longer. You must go.” 

But I can’t leave you all alone, sir.” 

“You must, my boy. Here is what I want you to do. Throw 
the blanket over me and fill the tin with water.” 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


35 


The boy did this and felt better, for it kept oif the feeling 
of misery. 

''That is good,'' said the Colonel. "]^ow start oh at once 
down the valley, and if yon see any of the French soldiers before 
yon, strike oh to left or right and try 
and get by them, and don’t go down to 
the track again till they are left behind." 

"And then hnd onr men, sir?" 
cried the boy excitedly. 

" Yes." 

" And tell them where yon are, and 
bring some back to carry yon to your 
tent? " 

" Yes," said the Colonel, smiling. 

" But suppose I can't hnd them, sir ?" 

" Then — " said the Colonel, looking 
sadly at the boy, before closing his 
eyes, "then — we won’t talk about that, 
my boy: a brave little fellow like yon 
must hnd them." 

"Yes, I'll try," said Dick eagerly. "When shall I go?" 

" Yow," said the Colonel, and the boy dashed oh at once among 
the rocks and bushes, but in hve minutes he was back again. 

"What, boy, do you give it up? " 

" Yo," said Dick stoutly. " I was in such a hurry I didn’t say 
good-bye, sir — and — and ’’ 

"Well, what?" said the Colonel, smiling, for the little fellow 
stopped. 

" I was afraid ! " 

"Afraid?" 

"You’d think I didn’t mind, and wanted to get away and 
leave you." 

" But you do not, my boy." 

" Only to hnd someone to help you." 

The Colonel caught his hand and drew him down closer and 



36 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


closer till lie could kiss liini^ when the tears started to Dick’s eyes 
and he flung his arms round the wounded man’s neck and clung to 
him and kissed him in return. 

Now go, Dick,’’ said the Colonel. I have just such a little 
fellow at home in England, and I want to see him again.” 

Have you?” cried Dick eagerly: ^Hhen I will find our men 
so that you shall.” 

ITah,” sighed the Colonel as Dick started off, and he watched 
the hoy till he disappeared. Then he sighed again, drew the blanket 
more over him and closed his eyes, and as the sun went down and 

the darkness fell he sank into a deep sleep. 

* * * -x- 

It was just beginning to get dusk the next evening and the 
sentries about the little hill where the 200th lay had been doubled. 
For the French regiments not many hundred yards away had crept 
in closer, and were so placed that the English were surrounded, and 
their case was very desperate, for though they had plenty of water 
their provender was getting low, and the scouts sent out had reported 
to the ^lajor that it looked as if an attack ^vas going to be made. 

So the wounded had been placed together behind a rough 
wall built of pieces of rock, and the men stationed, all hungry and 
desperate, ready to meet the enemy when they came and drive 
them back. 

^^And oh, dear! it’s weary work,” said ^Hrs. Corporal, who had 
had nothing to cook for the men, but made up for it by acting as 
nurse and helping the wounded. 

She was kneeling down by Corporal Beane when she spoke, 
and had been trying to comfort him, for he had done nothing but 
growl because the doctor said he must not think of getting up, 
and as she talked to him she said suddenly: Oh, if I could only 
know what has become of my boy.” 

She stopped short, for at tliat moment a shot was fired, and 
Corporal Beane sat up and reached for Ins musket. 

Here they come,” he cried. I don’t care what the doctor 



My boy Dick ! ’’ shouted Mrs. Beane, . . . 

as, torn and bleeding, the boy staggered np between 
two of the men.’’ 


38 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


says — I Yv’on’t lie here. Give me my cartridge-box, old woman: 
I’m going to fight.” 

There was another shot, close at liand, and then a shrill voice 
rang out: — Oh, don’t shoot — don’t shoot !” 

hoy Dick! ” shouted lErs. Beane, and she rushed out, as torn 
and bleeding, the boy staggered up between two of the men, and 
the next minute was surrounded by the officers, but could not speak 
for exhaustion: but he made signs for water, drank some thirstily, 
and one of the sentries stated to the Major that he had seen some- 
thing crawling up towards his post and fired. 

And then I see it, and fired too, sir,” said the other. 

“Poor boy,” cried the Ifajor. “Where are you hurt?” 

“I don’t know — everywhere. I’m scratched, and I tumbled, 
and my knees are sore. But do go directly, oh! do go, or he’ll 
be dead.” 

It was some time before in his weak, half-starved state the 
poor boy could make them understand, for he had completely 
broken down: and it was not until he had swallowed a little biscuit 
soaked in wine, as he lay with his head in Mrs. Beane’s lap, that 
he at last told, hysterically of how he had managed to crawl by 
the French outposts and reached his friends. 

Ilis last words were, “Why don’t you go? — the Colonel — ^you’ll 
be too late.” 

There was silence for a few minutes, all present watching the 
little messenger as he lay back insensible in ^Irs. Beane’s arms. 

Then the Major walked away: the men were formed up in a 
hollow square: and he addressed them and told them that their 
Colonel was lying wounded and dying away yonder, on the slope 
of the ravine, and he called for volunteers to fetch him in. 

They stepped forward to a man, and a strong company was 
told off under one of the captains, the doctot- being of the party, 
and the men carrying a litter ready for their load. 

“ But we must have the boy for a guide,” said the Major. 

There were difficulties in the Avay, and Mrs. Corporal Beane 
was consulted, for it was evident that Dick was in too exhausted 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


39 


a state to be moved, and slie said so as she paused for a feAV 
moments in the task of giving bim food, a little at a time. 

^^Xo, Tm not, sir,’^ said tlie boy, to the great surprise of all 
present. “ I can’t walk, but if father came too he could carry me 
on his back, and I’ll show you the way.” 

There was a moment’s silence, and Mrs. Corporal sobbed. 

He’s wounded badly, my dear,” she said, kissing him : but 
I’m as stout and strong as father is, and I’ll go and carry you.” 

With every man of us to help you,” cried the Captain, and 



in half an 
hour’s time, 
aided by 
the darkness, 
the little party stole out 
of the fortified camp, and 
by great good fortune 
passed with Dick’s guid- 
ance beyond the enemy’s 
lines. Then every effort was made, and soon after daybreak the 
spot where the disastrous fight had been was reached. 

It was a sad group which surrounded the motionless figure 
lying covered with a blanket, which the doctor removed and knelt 


40 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


down, Dick struggling to the other side, while the Captain and 
his men waited to hear the worst. 

^^AVe are not too late,’’ said the doctor, rising: and after 
administering stimulants, the words proved true, for the Colonel 
opened his eyes, looked wildly round, and then smiled as his gaze 
’ rested upon Dick, who was holding his hand. 

“ Thank you, Dick, boy,” he said, in a faint whisper. “ I knew 
you would.” 

The cheer which rose from the men made the rocks echo again, 
and the Captain turned from grasping his old friend’s hand, and 
said sharply: — 

Silence in the ranks — no, I mean, another cheer, my lads.” 

And it was given. 

A short halt was made by the pool, while stimulants were 
administered again to the Colonel, and ]\rrs. Beane insisted on Dick 
having more, the men eating their scanty rations by the pool. Then 
the wounded man was carefully laid in the litter so that Dick could 
lie there too, with his head the opposite way: the men raised 
their poles, and the march back w^as begun. 

It was just after dark that evening that they were proceeding 
very cautiously, when there was a sudden outburst of firing. 

The Captain needed no telling what was going on, for the long- 
expected attack was being made upon the weakened regiment upon 
the hill. He did not hesitate, but pressed on with his little band, 
quite unnoticed by the attacking force, coming upon their rear in 
the darkness just as they were receiving a check from the brave 
defenders of the camp, and the Captain poured in volley after 
volley so unexpectedly that the Trench broke, and began to retreat 
before their foes. The ]Major, grasping what had occurred, turned 
his defence into a brave attack, and the result w’as that in a few 
minutes the enemy was in full retreat, and soon after, this in their 
confusion became a rout. 


CHAPTEE YIL 



I X a month’s time, in spite of 
weakness, the Colonel had suffi- 
ciently recovered to resume the com- 
mand of his regiment, and Dick was 
the hero and idol of the men. 

But poor lirs. Corporal Beane 
was jealous and unhappy — jealous 
because the Colonel made so much of 
Dick; unhappy on account of the 
Corporal, whose recovery was very 
slow. But the Colonel, she owned, 
behaved very well to her. He said 
that he would not interfere much, as 
she looked upon herself as the boy’s 
mother, but sooner or later they 
would find out who Dick’s parents were, 
and that he should stay with the regi- 
ment, but he must be looked after well. 

“As if he could be looked after 
better,” Mrs. Corporal said to her invalid husband. “ I do 
look after you well, Dick, don’t I? ” 

“ Yes, mother; of course you do,” said the boy. 

“ And love you too; and you love me and father, don’t you? ” 

“ Why, you know' I do,” said the boy, laughing, “ and Colonel 
La vis sent for the tailor this morning, and I was measured for a 
new uniform like the men in the band.” 

“Bless us and save us! ” cried Mrs. Beane. “Well, that is 
handsome of him, but like a drummer, Dick, not with gold lace? ” 

“ Yes, scarlet and gold,” said the little fellow proudly; “ and 
I’m to learn to play.” 

It would be a long story to tell of the terrible fights the 200th 


42 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


were in all througli that terrible Peninsular War: but Dick was 
with the regiment and through it all, not fighting, but with the 
doctor and the men whose duty it was to look after the wounded, 
and many were the blessings called down upon the head of the 
brave boy, who seemed to bear a charmed life, as he ran here and 
there with water to hold to the lips of the poor fellows who were 
stricken down. 

But all things have an end, the bad like the good, and in the 
days of peace the 200th were being feasted at one of the towns 
by the Portuguese gentry and some of the English merchants who 
had been nearly ruined by the war. 

Dick was in it all, for he was strong and well as could be — happy 
too as a boy, but his memory was still a perfect blank about the 
past. He could recall everything which had happened since he 
was nursed back to health and strength, but nothing more; and 
poor Corporal Joe, who was never likely to be able to join the 
ranks again, and only too grateful at being allowed to act as the 
Colonel’s servant, never mentioned to the boy the day when he found 
him up at the burning house. 

Only set him thinking about them murdering camp-followers, 
missus, and make him unhappy, and we don’t want that, do us? ” 

“Xo, Joe, dear,” she cried; should think we don’t.” 

And so the time had nearly come for the remnant to march to 
the port and embark for England, when a farewell party was given 
to the officers by a Mr. and Mrs. Trevor, the principal merchant 
and his lady, and out of compliment the Colonel and officers sent the 
band up to the mansion to play in the garden during dinner, Dick 
being told that he might go with the musicians to sec the sight. 

Everyone of note was there, and the sight was grand in the 
lit-up grounds. There was feasting and speech-making and thanks 
given to the brave men who had saved the country from the 
oppressor, and the Colonel returned thanks. 

It was just then that the band-master turned to Dick and said: — 
Go up to the Colonel and ask him if we shall play the dance 
music now.” 



The little fellow in scarlet and gold sprang 
to her side and threw his arms about her neck.’^ 


44 


OUK SOLDIER BOY. 


The band was stationed by one of the open windows, and Dick, 
in his best uniform, had only to step in and go round behind the 
Colonel’s chair to whisper to him. 

“Ah, Dick, my boy,” he said. “Dance music? Yes. Stop; 

I ni ask our hostess. By the way, llrs. Trevor,” he said, turning to 
I the tall, sad-looking lady at whose side he was sitting, “ let me 
introduce to you the greatest man in our corps, the brave little 
fellow who saved my life.” 

Mrs. Trevor turned smilingly round, when a sun-burned gentle- 
man on her other side gave utterance to a gasp and sprang from 
his chair. 

“My dear madam,” cried the Colonel, “are you ill?” 

For Mrs. Trevor uttered a wild cry, as, to the astonishment of 
all, the little fellow in scarlet and gold sprang to her side and threw 
his arms about her neck. 

“O/i, mother! YTiy, father,” he cried, “ do you live here? ” 

The boy’s memory of the past had come back like a flash of 
light, and as he caught at Mr. Trevor’s hand he suddenly turned 
pale, shivered, and clapped his hands to the scar upon his head, for 
the horror of the scene before he was struck down by one of a 
gang of French cajnp-followers came back to him with terrible 
vividness. 

The banquet was nearly at an end when this scene took place, 
and after warm congratulations from the visitors, they had the good 
taste to hurry away, and the band was dismissed, the Colonel only 
stopping with the boy to help him relate how he was retained in 
the regiment. 

lie heard in return an explanation from Mr. Trevor, who told 
how it was that the burned house was their country villa among 
the mountains, where in ignorance of danger being near, the boy 
Avas left Avith the servants for a foAv hours, the father and mother 
returning to find only smoking ruins and the traces of a horrible 
massacre having taken place. So convinced Avere they that their 
son had perished in the fire AAutli the serA^ants that no search Avas 
made, and the TreA’’ors fled, glad to escape AAuth their Ih^'es, Mr. 


Life. 


OUR SOLDIER BOY. 


45 


Trevor having a hard task to restore his wife to reason after the 
terrible shock. 

To them their child was dead, and they had felt that they 
would never thoroughly recover from the dread- 
ful blow'. 

But you see, Colonel, one never knows 
what is in store, and it is not right to despair. 
]N’ow, how can we thank you enough for all 
that you have done? ’’ 

don’t want thanks,” said the Colonel, 
ought to thank you for all that he so 
bravely did for me; and besides, Dick, boy, 

there was someone else w’ho ” 

He stopped, for a servant entered the room. 
“ I beg pardon, sir, but there’s a woman 
and a soldier outside. I told them you were 
engaged, but the Avoman said she would see you.” 

Avoman and a soldier?” cried Mr. 
Trevmr — Avill see me? ” 

I knoAv,” cried Dick excitedly, “ it’s mother and father — I 
mean — I ” 

He too stopped short, and looked from one to the other. 

I mean,” he cried bravely, my other father and mother, 
Avho saved me and brought me back to life.” 

Where is he? ” cried an angry voice in the hall. aauII see 
him. Dick, my darling Dick! ” 

Mrs. TreA^or turned white, and a pang shot through her, as she 
saAv her neAAdy-recovercd son rush to the door, throAV it open and 
call out loudly: — Here I am, mother: this Avay.” 

Oh, my darling! ” cried Mrs. Corporal: ^M’a^o just heard — Oh 
Avhat does it mean? I — I beg your pardon, my lady, and you too, 

sir, and Colonel, but — but they’ve been telling me ” 

Yes, it’s all true,” cried Dick, interrupting her. Mother dear, 
this is my other mother, and father dear, this is Corporal Joe.” 

Oh — oh — oh ! ” sobbed LMrs. Corporal Avildly : after all this 





46 


OUR SOLDIER ROY. 


time, and me getting to love him and look upon him as my ovm! 
Oh, my lady, my lady, yon never would he so cruel as to take him 
away? It would be so wicked, so hard upon us now.” 

My own boy? ” said Mrs. Trevor gently, as Dick stood gazing 
wildly from one to the other. 

But for us never to see him again,” cried Mrs. Corporal 
fiercely, and she caught the boy by the arm. Don’t say you 
won’t love us still, Dick dear! ” 

AVhy should ho say such cruel words to one who has been a 
second mother to him, — to one who brought him back to life? And 
why should you never see him again? M"e are going to England 
too, and while we have a home it shall be yours as well.” 

Mrs. Trevor took the rough woman’s hand, leaned towards her, 
and kissed her cheek. 

‘^Eor saving my darling’s life,” she said softly, and then burst 
into tears. 

Poor Mrs. Corporal’s anger melted at this, and she caught Mrs. 
Trevor’s hand in hers and kissed it again and again. 

Oh, my dear lady,” she sobbed; I’m a wicked, selfish woman, 
and he is your own fiesh and blood. Come with you to be where 
I could always see the dear, brave, darling boy? Oh, I’d go down 
on my knees and be thankful, but I can’t leave my poor man. I 
wouldn’t if he was strong and well, and now he’s wounded and 
broken and got to leave the regiment — no, not if we had to beg 
our bread from door to door. J\iss me, my darling boy, once more, 
and then — oh Joe, my man, I can’t bear it! Take me away, take 
me away.” 

Joe, who had stood back stiffiy in the background near where 
Dick’s father was whispering with Colonel Lavis, took two steps to 
the front with a painful limp, saluted the company, and caught his 
half-blind wife in his arms. 

It’s quite right, my lass,” he said huskily, and — from my 
heart, my lady, I say thank God the dear lad’s coming to his own. 
Don’t mind what the missus said — she — she, you see, loved him, 
and— good-bye. Master Dick, my lad — good ” 


OUll SOLDIER BOY. 


47 



Stop/’ said Hr. Trevor, stepping towards liim witli liis eyes 
moist, and clapping the invalided soldier on the shoulder. Cor- 
poral, your Colonel says that you are as brave and true a man as 
ever stepped. I feel that it must be so. TVhile I live the wounded 
soldier to whom we owe to much shall never want a home. Dick, 
as they call you — Drank, my boy, what do you say to this? ” 

“Say?” faltered the boy, as he stood trembling, and then he 
could not speak. The next moment he had rushed to his mother 


to kiss her passionately, giving her a look that seemed to say, 
“ Don’t think I shall not love you more than ever; ” and then he 
ran and caught Joe’s hand, holding it fast for a moment, before 
flinging his arms about poor Mrs. Corporal’s neck, to whisper some- 
thing in her ear which made the poor woman wipe awa}' her tears. 

“ Hah! ” cried the Colonel huskily, “ this is peace indeed.” 

That night mother and father stole hand in hand into the room 


48 


OUR SOLDIJi:R BOY. 



next their own, where their son lay sleeping peacefully. They did 
not bend down to kiss him lest he should start awake, hut they 
knelt by his side in thankfulness for the great joy which filled their 
hearts, before thinking sadly of those to whom they owed so much. 

Strangely enough, just about the same time Mrs. Corporal rose 
from her knees and said: — 

There, Joe, old man, I wonT cry another drop, for I feel noAv 
that it’s right and what should be. But just in here somewhere 
there’s a little place where he’ll always seem to be — our soldier boy 
to the very end.” 










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